The teacher appeared more excited than a group of about 75 enthusiastic students Wednesday when Broadway star Sierra Boggess taught a master class for Stage Door Fine Arts at The Community House in Hinsdale.

“I love it because I get to talk to the new generation, kids starting out, and I get to encourage them,” Boggess said before the class started. “I love their innocence. I want to help them know that it is possible, whatever they want.”

Boggess has a mantra she shares often, including with those who attended the master class: “You are enough! You are SO enough! It’s unbelievable how enough you are!”

“I want this class to be a confidence boost for them,” Boggess said. “I want them to know that starting, they are enough and build from there. They shouldn’t pretend to be someone else. Just be yourself because that’s enough.”

Boggess said she has presented two previous master classes for Stage Door Fine Arts, a group to which she has a special connection. She has been best friends with co-founder/artistic director Paula Taylor since college at Millikin University in Decatur.

Taylor said bringing her longtime friend in to talk and work with aspiring actors offers a great opportunity for participants, which for this class included six performers and about 70 others who came to listen, watch and learn.

“When I say things, it might not always register with them as much as hearing it from someone else,” Taylor said. “And when that someone else has accomplished as much as Sierra, it really wants to make them listen and learn.”

Lisa Buhelos, 20, of Burr Ridge, has acted in Stage Door Fine Arts productions for the past four years.

“It’s exciting and fun to have someone here who’s been on stage like she has,” Buhelos said. “It’s especially cool for me because she’s the type of singer I hope to be.”

Nathan Frewen, 14, of Downers Grove, said he was taken with videos he has watched of Boggess talking.

“It’s really interesting to hear things from someone else’s perspective, and she has such a positive outlook,” he said.

Johnny Rabe, 18, of Naperville was familiar with Boggess’ work before attending the master class.

“I think it’s very cool having someone from Broadway here,” he said.

Boggess’ resume is impressive, to say the least.

Playing the role of Christine Daae in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera” resulted in Webber saying, "She’s the best, the best Christine certainly.” Boggess portrayed the role in the Broadway, West End and the televised 25th anniversary concert productions.

She made her Broadway debut as Ariel in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” and has made concert appearances that include multiple engagements with BBC Proms at Royal Albert Hall in London; Lincoln Center’s American Songbook Series, “The Lyrics of David Zippel” and The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall.

Chuck Fieldman / Pioneer Press

Sierra Boggess said, "I love it because I get to talk to the new generation, kids starting out, and I get to encourage them."

Sierra Boggess said, "I love it because I get to talk to the new generation, kids starting out, and I get to encourage them." (Chuck Fieldman / Pioneer Press)